Chapter Six

Environmental Emergencies

Heat & Cold Related Emergencies

Factors that Influence the Body’s Ability to Regulate Temperature

• Air Temperature• Humidity• Wind• What type of clothing you wear• How much water you drink• How intense your activity is

People at Increased Risk for Heat or Cold Related Illnesses -

• Those who work or exercise strenuously• Elderly people and young children• Those with heart disease or diabetes• Those who have had heat or cold related

illness in the past• Those who have cardiovascular disease• Those who take medication to eliminate water

from the body

• Painful spasms of skeletal muscle that usually occur in the abdomen and legs

• Signs & Symptoms– Along with the cramps, the person’s body

temperature is usually normal and the skin is moist• Care– Have the victim rest comfortably in a cool place– Lightly stretch the muscle– Give the victim cool water, juice, or a sports drink

Heat Cramps

Heat Exhaustion• The early stage and most common form of heat

related illness• It is an early sign that the body’s temperature

regulating mechanism is overwhelmed• Signs & Symptoms – Cool, moist, pale skin– Headache and/or nausea– Dizziness, weakness and exhaustion

Heat Stroke• The least common yet and most severe heat

emergency• Body systems are overwhelmed by heat and

begin to stop functioning• Signs & Symptoms– High body temperature– Red, hot skin, which may be dry or moist– Change in level of consciousness– Rapid, weak pulse– Rapid, shallow breathing

• Without proper care, the victim will die

• Care in early stages – – Cool the body– Give the victim fluids – Should not resume activity

• Care in late stages – – Call 9-1-1– Recovery position– Monitor ABCs– Cool the body any way possible

Immerse body in cold water or spray it down– Be prepared to do CPR or use an AED

Care for Heat Related Illness

Frostbite• The freezing of body tissues• It can lead to the loss of extremities• Signs & Symptoms– Lack of feeling in the affect area– Skin that appears waxy– Skin that is cold to the touch– Skin that is discolored• White, yellow, or blue

• Handle the area gently, never rub it• Use skin to skin contact to rewarm that area• Rewarm the affected area by gently soaking it

in warm water• Bandage the area with a clean, dry dressing• Place gauze in between frostbitten fingers or

toes• Seek professional medical care

Care for Frostbite

• When the entire body cools when its warming mechanism fails

• The body temperature drops below 95 degrees

• Signs & Symptoms– Shivering– Numbness– Glassy stare– Indifference– Change in the level of consciousness

Hypothermia

Care for Hypothermia

• Call 9-1-1• Check and care for any life threatening conditions• Remove any wet clothing and dry the victim• Warm the body gradually by wrapping the victim

in blankets or putting dry clothing and moving him or her to a warm environment

• Be prepared to give CPR or use an AED• If the person is alert, give them a warm drink that

does not have alcohol or caffeine in it

• Avoid being outdoors in the hottest or coldest part of the day

• Change your activity level according to the temperature

• Take frequent breaks• Dress appropriately for the environment• Drink large amounts of fluids before, during,

and after activity

Preventing Heat & Cold Related Emergencies

Bites and Stings

Signs & Symptoms of Common Bites and Stings

• Presence of a stinger• Pain• Swelling• Signals of an allergic reaction

Insects

• Many Americans are severely allergic to the venom of bees, wasps, and hornets.

• When these people are stung they need immediate medical attention.

• Care – – If you see the stinger, remove it to prevent any

further poisoning.• Scrape the stinger with your nail or a plastic card.

– Wash the site and cover it. Apply a cold pack to reduce the pain and swelling.

– Monitor ABC’s

Preventing Bites and Stings

• Wear long sleeved shirts and pants• Wear light colored clothing• Tuck your pants into your socks or boots• Tuck your shirt into your pants• Stay in the middle of trails, avoid tall grass• Check for insects on your body especially hairy

areas of the body• Consider using a bug repellent

Tick-Borne Diseases

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (bacterial infection)– Signals of infection – fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, lack of appetite– Later signals – Spotted rash, abdominal pain, joint pain, diarrhea

• Babesia Infection (protozoa infection)– Signals of infection – fever, seats, chills, body and headaches, no appetite,

nausea, fatigue– Others develop a type of anemia that causes dark urine or jaundice.

• Ehrlichiosis (bacterial infection)– Signals of infection – fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches– Later signals – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, joint pains, confusion, rash

• Lyme Disease– Signals of infection – bull’s eye rash, fever, headache, weakness, joint and

muscle pain– Later signals – severe fatigue, stiff, aching neck, tingling or numbness in fingers

and toes, facial paralysis

Preventing Tick Borne Diseases

• Check for ticks immediately after being outdoors• Wash all clothing• If you find a tick, it must be removed– Grasp the tick with fin tipped and pointed tweezers– Get as close to your skin as possible– Pull slowly and firmly with no twisting– Clean the bite area and apply antibiotic ointment

• DO NOT try to burn the tick off your body or apply petroleum jelly to the tick to get it out

Mosquitoes & West Nile Virus• WNV is passed on to human by mosquitoes that bite them

after feeding on infected birds.• Signs & Symptoms –

– High fever– Headache and neck stiffness– Confusion– Coma– Tremors or convulsions– Muscle weakness

• There is no specific treatment for WNV infection or vaccine to prevent it.

• In severe cases, victims need to go to the hospital for intravenous fluids, help with breathing and nursing.

Spider Bites

• The black widow and the brown recluse are the only two spiders than can kill or seriously injure.

• Signs & Symptoms for Black Widow Bites - – Sharp pinprick pain followed by a dull pain– Muscle rigidity– Restlessness, anxiety, and sweating

• Signs & Symptoms for Brown Recluse Bites – – Little to no initial pain– Blood filled blister that will increase in size and rupture leaving a black scar

• Care -– Seek medical care as soon as possible– Wash wound, apply antibiotic cream, bandage and apply cold pack– Antivenin is available for black widow bites

Snakes• There are four types of poisonous snakes in the

U.S: – Rattlesnake– Copperhead – Cottonmouth– Coral snake

• Most deaths from snake bites occur because the victim has an allergic reaction or is in poor health, or because too much time passes before the victim receives medical attention.

Snake Bites• Signs & Symptoms

– A bite mark– Severe pain and burning at the wound

site– Swelling and discoloration at the wound

site

• Care – – Call 9-1-1– Wash the wound if possible– Apply an elastic bandage to slow the

spread of venom through the lymphatic system

– Minimize the victim’s movement and keep the injured area lower than the heart

• DO NOT:– Apply ice– Cut the wound– Apply suction– Apply a tourniquet– Use electric shock

Domestic or Wild Animal Bites

• The bite of a domestic or wild animal carries the risk of both soft tissue damage as well as infection.

Rabies• A disease caused by a

virus transmitted through the saliva of diseased mammals.

• Rabies can be fatal if it is not treated.

• Anyone bitten by a wild or domestic animal must seek medical help immediately.

• Treating rabies involves a series of vaccine injections to build up immunity.

Care for Animal Bites

• Get the person away from the animal. Do not try to capture the animal.

• Care for minor wounds by washing with soap and water and applying antibiotic ointment.

• Do not clean a serious wound. Control bleeding and take to a medical facility.

• Watch for signals of infection.• Call 9-1-1 and tell them as much information

as you can about the animal.

Marine Life

Types of marine life that can sting – – Jellyfish, sea anemone, Portuguese

man-of-war– Sting ray, sea urchin, spiny fish

• Signs & Symptoms– Possible puncture mark– Pain– Swelling– Signals of alergic reaction

Care for Marine Life Stings• Sting from a jellyfish, sea anemone, or Portuguese

man-of-war - – Soak the injured part in vinegar as soon as possible, baking

soda paste or rubbing alcohol will work as well– Flush it with water as hot as the person can stand it until the

pain goes away • Sting from a sting ray, sea urchin, or spiny fish – – Flush the wound with tap water or ocean water– Immobilize the body part and flush it with water as hot as

the person can stand it until the pain goes away– Clean the wound and bandage it

• Call 911 if– You are unsure of what stung the victim– The victim is having an allergic reaction– The victim is stung in the head, neck, or face

Poisonous Plants• Examples of poisonous plants include poison ivy,

sumac, and oak.• Care for poisonous plant contact by – – Remove and wash clothing– Wash all parts of your body that came in contact with

the oil of the plant– Use a paste made of baking soda and water several

times a day if a rash or weeping sore begins to develop– Use of antihistamines may help dry up sores– See a doctor if the condition worsens or involves areas

of the face or throat

Lightening

• During thunderstorms – – Postpone activities immediately– Designate safe locations and move there at the first

sound of thunder– 30-30 Rule – when you see lightening, count the

time until you hear thunder. If it’s 30 seconds or less the storm is within 6 miles. Seek shelter! Wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before leaving the shelter.

– Stay away from plumbing, electrical equipment and wiring during a thunderstorm.

Lightening• Reach safety by –

– Moving downhill– Stay away from open areas (fields)– Seek uniform cover– If boating or swimming, get to land

• If lightening is striking nearby and you are out –– Squat in a tight ball on insulating material– Take off anything metal– Do not lay down– Hair on end? Cover your ears, close your eyes and squat!– Stay 15 feet away from other people but stay in sight of each

other

Lightening Injuries• Signals – – Unconscious– Dazed, confused behavior– Trouble breathing or no breathing– Burn marks on the skin or other open wounds– Muscle, bone or joint injuries

• Care – – Call 9-1-1– Perform CPR if needed– Care for injuries as needed